The McDonough County Health Department is reporting confirmed cases of coronavirus at Trinity Academy in Industry, the Bushnell-Prairie City School District (B-PC), Dairy Queen in Bushnell, and Chick’s on the Square in Macomb.
The School Districts
The health department said there is a confirmed case at Trinity Academy. The agency is working with the school to conduct contact tracing. The department said it hopes to reach those who were in close contact with the infected person to reduce the risk of further spread of the virus.
The health department also shared a message from B-PC Superintendent Kathy Dinger. She said the district was notified of a confirmed COVID-19 case at the high school, which means numerous other people were exposed to the virus. She said all B-PC schools will be closed until at least September 18. Instruction will be done remotely.
Dinger said Monday will be a remote learning planning day to give teachers and parents time to adjust to the change. There will be no student attendance Monday.
She said the district is working to disinfect all of it schools this weekend.
The Businesses
The county health department called it “an outbreak” at the Dairy Queen in Bushnell. Public exposures to the virus at DQ happened on August 25 and August 27.
The department also reported the public was exposed to COVID-19 at Chick’s on the Square in Macomb on August 23, August 25, and August 26.
The department reported it is working with the businesses and said both are following CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting.
The agency recommends that anyone who visited either business on the dates listed get tested if they’re experiencing COVID-19 symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of sense of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion/runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Screening Available
McDonough District Hospital’s nurse hotline can be reached at 309-836-1715. MDH said the hotline’s hours now coincide with those of the drive-thru screening station, which is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. You do not need to pre-register for a COVID-19 test at the drive-thru screening station.
Take Precautions
The health department said it is increasingly important to take precautions to minimize transmission of the coronavirus. The recommended guidelines:
- Wear a mask in public places
- Maintain social distancing
- Avoid large gatherings
- Wash hands frequently
- Clean and disinfect common touch surfaces such as door knobs
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